Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .300 H&H Mag. with .308 | 150gr | Lapua Mega bullet and 94 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant Reloder-17, ReloadSwiss RS 60 and Winchester 760.
Important Notice: DO NOT go below Minimum Charge or above Maximum Charge. Since we have no control over the equipment and components used, any responsibility and liability for the results achieved is rejected.
Only powders/loads that match the current filter criteria are displayed: max pressure of a load ≤ 90% of max. standardized pressure, fill rate ≥ 80% and propellant combustion ≥ 95%. Use the sliders above the tables to adjust these thresholds.
Charge: Powder weight in grains. Start with the minimum load and work up carefully.
FR (Fill Rate): Case fill as a percentage. Values above 100% mean compressed loads.
MaxP / %: Maximum chamber pressure in bar and as a percentage of the standardized maximum for this caliber.
V(0): Muzzle velocity in feet per second (fps) at the standardized barrel length.
z (Powder Burn): Estimated propellant combustion percentage at bullet exit.
A valid access license is required to use the Personalized Load Calculator.
You can find more information in our FAQ: How can I use the Personalized Load Calculator?
Max Load - Barrel Length: 24"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,113 psi | 85% | 2887 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,317 psi | 89% | 2956 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,447 psi | 86% | 2972 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,230 psi | 87% | 2949 fps | 96.4% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,259 psi | 89% | 3005 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,492 psi | 89% | 3091 fps | 99.4% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,448 psi | 89% | 3035 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,301 psi | 85% | 2982 fps | 99.5% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,534 psi | 87% | 2986 fps | 100% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,477 psi | 89% | 2963 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,506 psi | 89% | 3159 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,374 psi | 86% | 3005 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,751 psi | 86% | 3025 fps | 99.6% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 98% | 52,910 psi | 85% | 3091 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,186 psi | 87% | 3130 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-23ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,553 psi | 65% | 2864 fps | 98.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-26ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,556 psi | 73% | 3031 fps | 97.8% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,405 psi | 89% | 3048 fps | 99.5% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,012 psi | 87% | 3022 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,911 psi | 86% | 2986 fps | 96.6% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,115 psi | 90% | 2969 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,925 psi | 86% | 3012 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,999 psi | 90% | 3120 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,766 psi | 88% | 3031 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,505 psi | 87% | 3081 fps | 97.4% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,027 psi | 88% | 3041 fps | 96.1% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,999 psi | 90% | 3045 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100Vᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,678 psi | 84% | 3015 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,738 psi | 89% | 3081 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,347 psi | 89% | 3120 fps | 97.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,563 psi | 57% | 1873 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,969 psi | 87% | 2999 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,318 psi | 90% | 3035 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,159 psi | 90% | 3022 fps | 99.8% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,999 psi | 90% | 2995 fps | 97.5% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,317 psi | 87% | 3012 fps | 96.7% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,912 psi | 90% | 3022 fps | 97.4% |
| IMR 4831ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,854 psi | 90% | 3081 fps | 99.5% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,143 psi | 88% | 3058 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,534 psi | 87% | 2986 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,390 psi | 89% | 3012 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,853 psi | 88% | 2959 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,941 psi | 90% | 3015 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,361 psi | 89% | 3015 fps | 98.5% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,173 psi | 90% | 3048 fps | 97.8% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,404 psi | 87% | 2982 fps | 100% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,911 psi | 88% | 2986 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 88% | 52,997 psi | 85% | 3012 fps | 99.8% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,215 psi | 87% | 3074 fps | 99.3% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,664 psi | 86% | 3038 fps | 99.7% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,243 psi | 85% | 3068 fps | 98% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,839 psi | 88% | 3002 fps | 98.6% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,433 psi | 87% | 3018 fps | 99.8% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,332 psi | 89% | 2986 fps | 99.8% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 35,955 psi | 58% | 1916 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,143 psi | 88% | 3015 fps | 97.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,302 psi | 87% | 3097 fps | 99.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,751 psi | 86% | 3130 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,172 psi | 88% | 3110 fps | 99.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,723 psi | 88% | 3140 fps | 99.1% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,274 psi | 89% | 2966 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,955 psi | 88% | 2982 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,882 psi | 86% | 3015 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,911 psi | 86% | 2986 fps | 96.6% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,361 psi | 89% | 3015 fps | 98.5% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,390 psi | 89% | 3012 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,941 psi | 90% | 3015 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,173 psi | 90% | 3048 fps | 97.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,477 psi | 89% | 3074 fps | 99.9% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,330 psi | 86% | 2979 fps | 98.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,099 psi | 87% | 3005 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,579 psi | 89% | 2920 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,956 psi | 90% | 2917 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,535 psi | 89% | 2963 fps | 97.4% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,796 psi | 89% | 3018 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,216 psi | 89% | 2917 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 84% | 52,982 psi | 85% | 2969 fps | 99.7% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,128 psi | 87% | 3012 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S365ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,417 psi | 84% | 3077 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,492 psi | 89% | 2884 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 86% | 55,854 psi | 90% | 2904 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,491 psi | 87% | 2943 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,477 psi | 89% | 2963 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,506 psi | 89% | 2989 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,272 psi | 85% | 3018 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,998 psi | 88% | 2986 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,548 psi | 86% | 2953 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 98% | 55,854 psi | 90% | 3074 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N555ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,585 psi | 71% | 2943 fps | 98.4% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,519 psi | 86% | 2992 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,100 psi | 88% | 3035 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,766 psi | 88% | 3087 fps | 97.4% |
| Winchester StaBALL HDᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,376 psi | 58% | 2858 fps | 98.3% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 86% | 53,795 psi | 86% | 3009 fps | 99.9% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 24"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,690 psi | 80% | 2835 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,540 psi | 68% | 2753 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,734 psi | 80% | 2913 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2700 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,850 psi | 82% | 2890 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,176 psi | 64% | 2743 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,376 psi | 58% | 2723 fps | 95.4% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,876 psi | 74% | 2864 fps | 99% |
| ADI AR 2208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,001 psi | 63% | 2703 fps | 96.9% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,964 psi | 77% | 2874 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,457 psi | 78% | 2864 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,901 psi | 67% | 2897 fps | 97.6% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,725 psi | 62% | 2726 fps | 98.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-15 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,568 psi | 67% | 2795 fps | 97.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,376 psi | 58% | 2736 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-17 | 57.5 gr | 80% | 33,533 psi | 54% | 2687 fps | 96.3% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 92% | 31,589 psi | 51% | 2628 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 96% | 39,378 psi | 63% | 2890 fps | 95.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 107 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,252 psi | 73% | 2867 fps | 98.1% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,508 psi | 62% | 2733 fps | 98.4% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,529 psi | 76% | 2871 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,676 psi | 80% | 2864 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,065 psi | 75% | 2897 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,170 psi | 84% | 3054 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon H380 | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,276 psi | 63% | 2733 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,643 psi | 72% | 2900 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 51,590 psi | 83% | 2982 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,340 psi | 74% | 2877 fps | 99.4% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,415 psi | 50% | 2569 fps | 95.5% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,554 psi | 68% | 2848 fps | 99.1% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 92% | 47,732 psi | 77% | 2979 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,527 psi | 43% | 1677 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,570 psi | 71% | 2828 fps | 99.1% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,224 psi | 74% | 2874 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4064 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,959 psi | 66% | 2743 fps | 97.7% |
| IMR 4166 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 46,441 psi | 74% | 2825 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,964 psi | 77% | 2897 fps | 95.2% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,456 psi | 74% | 2851 fps | 95.3% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,302 psi | 57% | 2677 fps | 95.1% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,612 psi | 68% | 2828 fps | 98.5% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,964 psi | 77% | 2874 fps | 99.8% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,339 psi | 73% | 2848 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,716 psi | 73% | 2799 fps | 99% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,915 psi | 66% | 2746 fps | 99.1% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,712 psi | 65% | 2740 fps | 95.3% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,717 psi | 75% | 2881 fps | 95.8% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,918 psi | 72% | 2815 fps | 99.6% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,281 psi | 73% | 2825 fps | 100% |
| Norma 203B | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,959 psi | 66% | 2782 fps | 98.1% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,622 psi | 59% | 2723 fps | 95.4% |
| Ramshot Big Game | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,669 psi | 65% | 2795 fps | 97.9% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 92% | 43,540 psi | 70% | 2884 fps | 95.7% |
| Ramshot TAC | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,950 psi | 77% | 2881 fps | 97.4% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,630 psi | 76% | 2904 fps | 99.2% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,779 psi | 83% | 2927 fps | 99.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,760 psi | 43% | 1713 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 50 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,482 psi | 68% | 2776 fps | 95% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 52 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,976 psi | 71% | 2907 fps | 98.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | 57.5 gr | 80% | 35,694 psi | 57% | 2759 fps | 99.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,289 psi | 58% | 2740 fps | 95% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,870 psi | 62% | 2808 fps | 95% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,037 psi | 79% | 2864 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,902 psi | 69% | 2769 fps | 99.3% |
| Rottweil R 903 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,201 psi | 58% | 2671 fps | 97.5% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 90% | 47,529 psi | 76% | 2871 fps | 95% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,712 psi | 65% | 2740 fps | 95.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,339 psi | 73% | 2848 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,915 psi | 66% | 2746 fps | 99.1% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,717 psi | 75% | 2881 fps | 95.8% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 11 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,159 psi | 60% | 2723 fps | 97% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,311 psi | 74% | 2854 fps | 97.6% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,425 psi | 71% | 2831 fps | 98.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,354 psi | 74% | 2772 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,667 psi | 62% | 2628 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 45,672 psi | 73% | 2792 fps | 95.2% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,098 psi | 84% | 2959 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,832 psi | 73% | 2769 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,108 psi | 74% | 2851 fps | 99% |
| Somchem S355 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,970 psi | 59% | 2677 fps | 97.5% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 82% | 28,790 psi | 46% | 2549 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,228 psi | 84% | 2835 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,717 psi | 75% | 2766 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,482 psi | 68% | 2753 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,902 psi | 69% | 2756 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,186 psi | 56% | 2612 fps | 98.3% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,853 psi | 57% | 2671 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,138 psi | 77% | 2871 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,408 psi | 66% | 2743 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,681 psi | 60% | 2726 fps | 95.5% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,098 psi | 55% | 2707 fps | 95.3% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,241 psi | 50% | 2526 fps | 95.5% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,051 psi | 77% | 2920 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | 63.4 gr | 90% | 44,831 psi | 72% | 2900 fps | 95% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 96% | 31,778 psi | 51% | 2710 fps | 95.9% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,034 psi | 71% | 2838 fps | 99.1% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
ᴾ possible press load - work up slowly to this load while watching for signs of excessive pressure.
This overview compares 94 powders for .300 H&H Mag. loaded with the .308 | 150gr | Lapua Mega. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,159 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,873 fps to 3,159 fps. Alliant Reloder-23 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 94 of the 94 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (430 MPa), the top charges use 57–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 150.0 gr projectile in 0.308" calls for a 1:11.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Alliant Reloder-23, Alliant Reloder-26, Hodgdon Hybrid 100V reach 100 % fill or more at maximum charge, so these are compressed loads: they need a long drop tube to seat cleanly and react sensitively to the case capacity of your own brass lot. Alliant Reloder-17, ReloadSwiss RS 60, Winchester 760 rank at the top here: for .300 H&H Mag. with the .308 | 150gr | Lapua Mega they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.